By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee
Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong to discuss Korea-Australia relations as well as regional and global affairs on July 30.
Both ministers recognized the continued development of the cooperative relationship between Korea and Australia, emphasizing their alignment as key like-minded countries in the region with shared democratic values and perspectives on regional and global issues and as “Comprehensive Strategic Partners” seeking more strategic and future-oriented collaboration.
The ministers noted that the recent, active exchanges and communication between the leaders and ministers of the two countries, including their sixth Foreign and Defense Ministers’ (2+2) Meeting on May 1 and the summit among the Indo-Pacific Partners (IP4) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) -- Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand -- on July 11 on the margins of the NATO summit.
During their meeting, the two Foreign Ministers welcomed the decision to launch the Korea-Australia Economic Security Dialogue and the Korea-Australia Climate Dialogue and to identify infrastructure cooperation projects in the Indo-Pacific region.
The ministers praised the significant progress in bilateral cooperation on the defense industry, noting a recent contract for a Korean company to supply next-generation infantry fighting vehicles to Australia and the extensive participation of Korean troops in last year’s "Talisman Sabre" exercises in Australia.
Minister Cho requested Australia’s continued support to further enhance the two countries’ defense industry collaboration, particularly through the ongoing general-purpose frigate project.
Additionally, both ministers noted with appreciation that the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), brought into force in December 2014 and marking its tenth anniversary this year, has contributed to strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
They agreed to enhance economic security cooperation in areas such as energy and supply chains for critical minerals. Particularly, the ministers concurred to discuss in depth cooperation measures in the bilateral Economic Security Dialogue, the plan for whose launch was announced at the meeting.
The ministers expressed serious concerns about the conclusion of the Russia-North Korea Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to bolster their military and economic cooperation and agreed to firmly address the Russia-North Korea military cooperation, which violates United Nations Security Council resolutions, in coordination with the international community.
Minister Cho noted with appreciation that a strong message was sent in the joint statement issued by the IP4 leaders during their summit on July 11 to condemn the Russia-North Korea cooperation and through Minister Wong’s recent visit to Panmunjeom. He went on to express his hope for continued close coordination in that regard.
Both ministers agreed to further bolster cooperation on engagement with ASEAN and Pacific island countries, which both countries value highly; to continue exploring concrete cooperation measures such as infrastructure cooperation projects in the Indo-Pacific region; to enhance comprehensive security cooperation including on cyber security; and to step up collaboration on climate response through the annual Climate Dialogue.
The two sides agreed to work closely together on minilateral stages such as the IP4, Korea-Australia-Japan cooperation and MIKTA, and on multilateral ones including NATO, the G7 and the G20, as well as for the success of the APEC Summit 2025 in Korea.
Additionally, the ministers discussed a broad range of issues of mutual interest such as the war in Ukraine; the Israel-Palestine conflict and other Middle Eastern affairs; issues concerning the Indo-Pacific region including China, as well as the global community; and developments and prospects related to the United States presidential election.
